Minnesota Timberwolves: Kevin Love-Kevin Martin 'rivalry' clicking

Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Kevin Love reacts after sinking the game-tying 3-pointer in the final seconds of the fourth quarter as the Minnesota Timberwolves play the Orlando Magic at Target Center in Minneapolis on Wednesday, October 30, 2013. Wolves won 120-115. (Pioneer Press: Ben Garvin)

Kevin Martin and Kevin Love have this little rivalry going.

"We challenge each other," Martin said Friday night after the two scored 32 points apiece to lead the Timberwolves past the Dallas Mavericks 116-108 at Target Center. "That's one thing I like about our relationship: We challenge each other a lot."

The way the pair click became evident after a timeout with 2:24 remaining and Minnesota leading 105-102.

According to Martin, Love told him to set a pick for him.

"I said, 'What are you going to do with it?' " Martin said, grinning. "He said, 'Just give me the ball.' We push each other, and that just makes each other better."

Martin set the pick, flipped the ball to Love and Love drilled a 24-foot shot to make it 108-102.

Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Kevin Martin reacts after scoring in overtime as the Minnesota Timberwolves play the Orlando Magic at Target Center in Minneapolis on Wednesday, October 30, 2013. Wolves won 120-115.
(Pioneer Press: Ben Garvin)

When Martin's words -- that Love told him to pick for him so he could take the shot -- were relayed to Love, Love didn't miss a beat.

"I just told him, 'Pick for me. I'm going to make this shot,' " Love said, trying to keep a straight face. "And I knocked it down. We talked about getting a two-man game in that fourth quarter, and we were fortunate enough to knock down those shots and put the game out of reach."

Love followed his three-pointer with a 17-foot fadeaway jumper, and Martin added two free throws. Martin finished with 12 points in the final 12 minutes while Love had five.